System and Method for Secure Offshore Storage of Crude Oil

ABSTRACT

A system and method for allowing the temporary storage of large quantities of crude oil, refined petroleum product, other chemicals or products, and/or fresh water at an offshore location includes a group or groups of floatable concrete offshore crude oil storage tanks first floated to the secured predetermined locations. The floatable concrete offshore crude oil storage tanks rest on the ocean bottom and may be connected one to another by a manifold. The group or groups of floatable concrete offshore crude oil storage tanks are protected by a coordinated security system.

CLAIM OF PRIORITY TO PRIOR APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit of the filing date of U.S.Provisional Application No. 61/347,686, filed on May 24, 2010, entitled“System and Method for Secure Offshore Storage of Crude Oil”, the entiredisclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference into the presentdisclosure.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY FUNDED RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT

The invention described in this patent application was not the subjectof federally sponsored research or development.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention pertains to the storage of crude oil, refinedpetroleum product, other chemicals or products, and/or fresh water; moreparticularly, the present invention pertains to the strategic storage ofcrude oil, refined petroleum product, other chemicals or products,and/or fresh water at offshore locations.

BACKGROUND

It is well known that the United States maintains a Strategic PetroleumReserve. Specifically, the United States uses empty salt domes to storelarge amounts of crude oil. It is possible that, in critical times, thesize of the United States Strategic Petroleum Reserve may not be largeenough to meet either projected consumer demand or anticipated nationaldefense requirements. When this occurs, there will be a need to storeadditional crude oil at other locations to include locations offeringincreased levels of security.

It is also possible that the existing United States Strategic PetroleumReserve could be the target of a terrorist attack. In this case, analternate Strategic Petroleum Reserve offering greater levels ofsecurity would become necessary.

In many third world countries, Nigeria being a prime example, the exportof crude oil produced from onshore wells has provided a great source ofincome. It is well known that when the price of oil is high in worldmarkets, the crude oil that has been extracted from wells has greateconomic and international political value. It is also well known thatmost crude oil is typically stored before it is shipped to refineriesfor further processing into a myriad of other products. Should thestorage facilities for the crude oil be attacked, or the pipelinesdelivering oil to these storage facilities, for the purpose of eitherdestroying the stored crude oil, making a political statement or simplytheft—the potential revenue or international political leverageassociated with the control of a large store of crude oil would be lost.

Probably the most dramatic example of the destruction of oil producingfacilities was the loss of millions of dollars of value associated withcrude oil when the Kuwaiti oil wells and oil storage facilities were setablaze during the departure of the Iraqi forces from Kuwait before theGulf War in the early 1990's. It took years for the country of Kuwait torecover from this savage attack.

Since the Iraq's destruction of the Kuwaiti oil fields, terrorists havelearned that smaller quantities of crude oil can provide an opportunetarget of choice to draw attention to a political cause or to create anatmosphere of terror among the citizenry by the effect of a largeexplosion and the resulting fire.

Furthermore, dangers in the Strait of Hormuz have increased thepotential risks of shipment of crude oil and hydrocarbon products fromthe Persian Gulf. This has caused a boom in building oil storage inareas, such as the port of Fujairah, just outside of the bottleneck ofthe Strait of Hormuz. Many Chinese oil companies such as PetroChina andUnipec have sought to increase oil storage in the Fujairah port as partof an overall strategy of establishing a worldwide presence. Such oilstorage facilities need protection from attack.

In response to the vulnerability of stored crude oil to attack, thegovernments of many countries, to include the United States, have becomeincreasingly concerned about the security of large quantities of storedcrude oil. These countries have a great need for systems in which crudeoil may be stored so that the crude oil is protected from those who aremotivated to either divert or destroy the crude oil before it can eitherbe exported to another country or shipped to refinery or an end user.Many other problems, obstacles, limitations and challenges of the priorart will be evident to those skilled in the art, particularly in lightof the prior art.

There is therefore a need in the art for a secure storage system andmethod for liquid products which might become the target of attacks.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides a secure storage system and method forliquid products which might become the target of attacks.

The offshore secure crude oil storage system and method of the presentinvention provides for the secure offshore storage of crude oil toprotect it against those who are motivated to either divert or destroythe crude oil before refining, export or shipment to an end user. Whilethe disclosure of this invention is written around crude oil those ofordinary skill in the art will understand that the system and method ofthe present invention can also be used to store refined petroleumproduct, other chemicals or products, and/or fresh water in addition tocrude oil.

The primary function of the disclosed system and method for the securestorage of crude oil is to provide a means of secure storage at alocation beyond the easy reach of militants or others whose goal is todisrupt either the transport of crude oil either locally orinternationally.

The disclosed system and method establishes a remotely located secureoffshore strategic crude oil storage reserve that will enable thecontinued flow of crude oil to refineries, exports or shipments to endusers despite disruptions at onshore facilities or the exhaustion of thestorage capacity of onshore crude oil storage facilities.

Further, the disclosed system and method will provide redundant storagefor export terminals. Such redundant storage will serve as a deterrentto the plans of militants and others intent on disrupting the export orshipment of crude oil as there will be additional routes through whichcountries may export crude oil products.

A secondary function for the disclosed system and method is theenablement of the strategic secure storage of crude oil reserves thatwill provide a way of profiting from short-term demand spikes orunanticipated price movements; specifically, crude oil will be quicklyavailable for export or shipment during short-term demand spikes orunexpected changes in commodity prices.

A byproduct of the configurations shown is that they provide exportinfrastructure to enable economic development of smaller offshore oilreserves, and export of oil and gas production of these in a countrysuch as Nigeria, much akin to how the pipeline infrastructure in US Gulfof Mexico provides the ability for smaller crude oil reserves to bedeveloped and production transmitted through these pipelines for saleonshore. That enhance export capability may align with national policyto encourage indigenous oil companies to produce national assets insteadof this being accomplished by traditional development by InternationalOil Companies (IOCs).

The disclosed system and method envisions the use of a group or groupsof large floatable gravity based structures. These floatable gravitybased structures are concrete offshore crude oil storage tanks that arefirst positioned and then caused to rest on the ocean bottom at one ormore predetermined offshore locations. Each floatable concrete offshorecrude oil storage tank or groups of crude oil storage tanks may beconnected together by a subsea piping and manifold system.

To assure security of the concrete offshore storage tanks, each group ofconcrete offshore storage tanks will have its own security system toprotect it against militants or others intent on disrupting the storage,export or shipment of crude oil.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A better understanding of the disclosed system and method for secureoffshore storage of crude oil of the present invention may be had byreference to the drawing figures wherein:

FIG. 1 is a schematic of the system and method of the present inventionincluding a group of floatable concrete offshore crude oil storagetanks;

FIG. 2 is a schematic of the system and method of present inventionusing three groups of four floatable concrete offshore crude oil storagetanks each;

FIG. 3 is a schematic of a typical arrangement of an array of floatableconcrete offshore crude oil storage tanks with respect to an on-shorepumping station.

FIG. 4 is a typical design and arrangement for one of the floatableconcrete offshore crude oil storage tanks 20.

FIG. 5 is a typical elevation view for one of the floatable concreteoffshore crude oil storage tanks 20.

DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

As shown in FIG. 1 and in FIG. 2, the secure offshore storage system andmethod of the present invention 10 will take on the form of a group offloatable concrete offshore crude oil storage tanks 20. The floatableconcrete offshore crude oil storage tanks 20 may be arranged in a singlegroup where the concrete offshore crude oil storage tanks are from about2 miles to about 5 miles apart, as shown in FIG. 1, or in multiplegroups 40, 42, 44 where the floatable concrete offshore crude oilstorage tank groups are from about 20 miles to 50 miles apart as shownin FIG. 2. The common characteristic is that each group of floatableconcrete offshore crude oil storage tanks located about 20 to 50 milesaway from the coastline, to be beyond the range of small watercraft, isconnected to onshore storage locations (not shown) and/or to otheroffshore crude oil storage locations by pipeline assemblies 30(typically subsea) to load or unload each of the floatable concreteoffshore crude oil storage tanks 20 and provide safe, secure andredundant routes for the transport of crude oil. Included within eachgroup of floatable concrete offshore crude oil storage tanks may be afixed structure for controlling the amount of crude oil temporarilystored in each concrete offshore storage tank 20 as well as controllingthe security system for the group of concrete offshore storage tanks.

In the preferred embodiment and for the reliability and safety of thetransfer of crude oil product to tankers for export to other locations,each of the crude oil storage tanks 20 will be first positioned and thenlocated at ocean depths of from about 100 feet to about 145 feet.Transfer of the crude oil from the floatable concrete offshore crude oilstorage tanks 20 to export tankers will typically employ the use of apumping system well known to those of ordinary skill in the art. Forexample, such pumping systems may employ tandem (via a CALM buoy) orside-by-side mooring of the export tankers.

The disclosed system and method connects and arranges the floatableconcrete offshore crude oil storage tanks to both provide security andto provide strategic storage of quantities of crude oil.

The floatable concrete offshore crude oil storage tanks 20 shown in thepreferred embodiment are equipped both for the storage of crude oilproduced from a variety of different locations and for the transfer ofcrude oil to transport tankers for transport. Each floatable concreteoffshore crude oil storage tank 20 or groups of crude oil storage tanksmay be equipped with its own set of floating barriers to prevent smallhostile vessels from coming too close to the floatable concrete offshorecrude oil storage tanks 20.

As shown in FIG. 2, each group of concrete tanks may include its ownsecurity perimeter 62. Still other security measures, such as thoseconsidered for use in the Gulf of Mexico after the 9/11 attacks in theUS at fixed offshore platforms will be installed on and around eachfloatable concrete offshore crude oil storage tank to enable monitoringof adjacent waters and detect any vessel movements therein. When avessel is detected which represents a potential threat to a concreteoffshore crude oil storage tank, interdiction forces or methods may beused to first warn and then stop intruders. Such methods may includedeterrence means such as high intensity sound beams, focusedelectromagnetic beams and others, recognizing both.

It is envisioned that as the system and method of the present inventionmay be adopted for use around the world, specialty floatable concreteoffshore crude oil storage tanks may be designed specifically for use inthe disclosed system and method may be used depending on the nature ofthe offshore locations in which the storage tanks are to be located.Such floatable concrete offshore crude oil storage tanks may bemanufactured onshore. The concrete offshore crude oil storage tanks aremade to float when not storing crude oil. Thus, large crude oil storagetanks can be moved from their onshore manufacturing location to apredetermined location offshore. Following arrival at theirpredetermined offshore location, the floatable concrete offshore crudeoil storage tanks are secured to the ocean floor and in one embodimentare secured so that the top of the floatable concrete offshore crude oilstorage tank remains above the water line.

Each fleet or group of floatable offshore concrete crude oil storagetanks will have a central operational and security command centerlocated either near one concrete offshore crude oil storage tank ordivided up for enhanced security on multiple tanks. The centraloperational and security command center will provide several functionsfor the group of floatable concrete offshore crude oil storage tanks.

Specifically, the central operational and security command center will:

-   -   determine which individual floatable concrete offshore storage        tank 20 in the group of floatable concrete offshore crude oil        storage tanks is to be filled or emptied;    -   determine how much crude oil is to be added to or removed from        each individual concrete offshore crude oil storage tank 20 in        the group of floatable concrete storage tanks either from an        on-shore source or from another concrete storage tank;    -   move security assets as needed within the group of floatable        concrete offshore storage tanks to include patrol boats,        electronic surveillance, air/underwater surveillance etc.

As shown in FIG. 3 offloading of crude oil to an export tanker 100 mayoptionally be from a catenary anchor leg moored (CALM) buoy 80 or from agroup of CALM buoys for all of the crude oil stored by the group ofconcrete storage tanks. Provision is made for side-by-side transfer ofcrude oil from the concrete storage tanks to the export tanker in fairweather conditions. While a group of buoys may be used, it is alsopossible to empty crude oil from each concrete offshore storage tank 20through a seabed manifold 90 as shown in FIG. 1. Individually providedadequate security measures are put in place by the central operationaland security command center. The concrete offshore crude oil storagetanks 20 may be connected to onshore pumping facilities 110 or to otheroffshore storage installations 120.

One premise of the disclosed system and method 10 of the presentinvention is that all stored crude oil is considered to be fungible.However, it is also possible to accommodate the storage of variousdifferent grades or types of crude oil within different compartments ortanks of the tanks if such different grades of crude oil are produciblefrom either land or offshore sources. The storage of multiple differentgrades of crude oil will be managed by the central operational andsecurity command center in the same way that the crude oil is managed.

It is envisioned that the fees charged for storage of crude oil will beon a long term contract service basis. Alternatively, the fees chargedfor the secure storage of crude oil could be priced in a manner similarto the pricing of an insurance policy. Specifically, a predetermined perunit quantity tariff would be charged based on daily storage amounts.

The disclosed offshore storage system and method 10 could also be usedto provide a market calming effect in the case of rapidly fluctuatingprices. Specifically, enough quantity of stored crude oil could bereleased from storage to deter any disruptions in supply (e.g. 600,000barrels per day reduction in production of crude oil over 50 days or30,000,000 barrels).

The disclosed offshore storage system and method 10 could also be usedto reduce the price of crude oil by reducing the price instabilitypremium that crude oil producers place on their per unit price. Inaddition, the reputation of the host country to supply large quantitiesof crude oil when needed would be enhanced as sufficient quantities ofthose commodities to meet customer demand will be available during anyon-shore production interruptions. If multiple countries are involved,the perception of security for the stored crude oil will be increased,thus further calming fears of a disruption in the supply of crude oiloriginating in a third world country.

The disclosed system in a macro sense is a combination of relativelyshort delivery components including:

-   -   pump stations;    -   pipelines;    -   offshore concrete storage tanks;    -   offloading buoys.

All of the foregoing are arranged and included in sufficient quantitiesto continue operation if one or more portions is reduced in capacity ordestroyed.

For additional storage needs the group of floatable concrete crude oilstorage tanks may be increased in size by the addition of more tanks orby combination with other types of either surface or concrete gravitystorage structures whether such storage structures be mobile orstationary. Accordingly, such an increase in the number of tanks will betied into the central operational and security command center forcontrol and security.

Those of ordinary skill in the art will understand that the floatableconcrete oil storage tanks may be round or constructed to have multipleflat sides. The size, design and materials used to construct thefloatable concrete crude oil storage tanks are dependent on thecapabilities and materials available in the countries nearest to thelocation of the floatable concrete offshore oil storage tanks. Those ofordinary skill in the art will understand that the floatable offshorestorage tanks may be sub-divided into multiple compartments fordifferent grades or owners of crude oil.

In particularly dangerous locations, it may be necessary to havemultiple layers of security; possibly provided by all those having aninterest in assuring the security of the stored crude oil. Such layeredsecurity may include various functionalities to include radarmonitoring, air and/or water patrols, incident interdiction,communication, line monitoring and emergency rescue. New types ofsensors and non-lethal weapons developed after the Sep. 11, 2001,attacks may be used. For example, new surveillance radar, intensefocused audio beams such as LRAD, and microwave equivalents 64 can beused as shown in FIG. 3.

Each storage tank should be constructed to protect against suicideattackers, collisions, or missile attacks. This additional protectionsatisfies regulatory requirements in first world countries such as theUnited States—so that the most stringent requirements can be met.

Transportation of personnel or equipment within the group of floatableconcrete offshore crude oil storage tanks may be by helicopter tohelipads located at each tank. Such helipads should be made large enoughfor use by large helicopters in the event of the need for the movementof large quantities of people or equipment. FIG. 4 is a typical designand arrangement for one of the floatable concrete offshore crude oilstorage tanks 20. FIG. 4 shows how internal compartments are intended tostore crude oil and other compartments around the perimeter of the tankare used to ballast down the tank once it is on location, and tomaintain it on station whether full of crude oil or not. The doublesided configuration has the added benefit of reducing the risks of oilspills and of resisting collisions by ships, whether deliberate bymilitants or accidental. The design of the tank is arranged such that itcan be built in a graving dock nearby and floated out, i.e. the“lightship” draft has to be a practical figure to enable delivery tofinal location and then ballasting down for permanent use. FIG. 5 is atypical elevation view for one of the floatable concrete offshore crudeoil storage tanks 20.

Typical dimensions of one embodiment of the invention are indicated fora 4.2 million barrel floatable concrete offshore crude oil storage tanks20 in Tables 1 and 2 below:

TABLE 1 Oil storage capacity Cargo volume per tank m{circumflex over( )}3 73,150 Total cargo volume @98% m{circumflex over ( )}3 573,496Equivalent in barrels bbl 4,204,516 Concrete volume/storage volume 0.19

TABLE 2 Overall dimensions Beam, Molded m 94.40 Length overall, molded m244.40 Depth, molded m 39.80

The disclosed system and method has been disclosed according it itspreferred and alternate embodiments. Those of ordinary skill in the artwill realize that based on the foregoing disclosure other embodimentshave been enabled. For example, the disclosed invention could be used tostore refined petroleum products, other chemicals or products, and/orfresh water. Such other embodiments shall be included within the scopeand meaning of the appended claims.

1. A secure offshore crude oil, refined petroleum product, otherchemicals or products, and/or fresh water storage system comprising: a)a group of floatable concrete crude oil storage tanks constructed andarranged for placement on the ocean bottom; b) said group of floatableconcrete storage tanks being connected to a seabed manifold; c) saidseabed manifold being connected to sources of crude oil, refinedpetroleum product, other chemicals or products, and/or fresh water; d) acentral command center for: i) determining which individual tank withinsaid group of floatable concrete storage tanks is to be emptied orfilled; ii) determining how much crude oil, refined petroleum product,other chemicals or products, and/or fresh water is to be added orremoved from said individual tank in said group of floatable concretestorage tanks; iii) moving security assets within said group offloatable concrete storage tanks, said security assets being selectedfrom a group including but not limited to: patrol boats, electronicsurveillance, and air/underwater surveillance; e) each of said floatableconcrete storage tanks within said group of floatable concrete storagetanks, having an associated security system.
 2. The system as defined inclaim 1 wherein individual floatable concrete storage tanks within saidgroup of floatable concrete storage tanks offload to an export tanker.3. The system as defined in claim 1 wherein different grades of crudeoil, refined petroleum product, other chemicals or products, and/orfresh water may be stored for at least one owner within individualfloatable concrete storage tanks within said group of floatable concretestorage tanks.
 4. A method for storing crude oil, refined petroleumproduct, other chemicals or products, and/or fresh water in a securemanner offshore, said method comprising the steps of: a) locating aplurality of floatable concrete storage tanks as a group at an offshorelocation; b) equipping each of said floatable concrete storage tankswith a security system; c) connecting each of said floatable concretestorage tanks within said plurality of floatable concrete storage tanksto a common seabed manifold; d) connecting said common seabed manifoldto sources of crude oil, refined petroleum product, other chemicals orproducts, and/or fresh water, e) connecting each of said floatableconcrete storage tanks within said plurality of floatable concretestorage tanks to a central command center for: i) determining how muchcrude oil, refined petroleum product, other chemicals or products,and/or fresh water is to be added to or removed from each floatableconcrete storage tanks within said plurality of floatable concretestorage tanks; ii) moving security assets within said plurality offloatable concrete storage tanks, said security assets being selectedfrom a group including, but not limited to: patrol boats, electronicsurveillance equipment, and air/underwater surveillance.
 5. The methodas defined in claim 4 wherein one or more of said of floatable concretestorage tanks in said plurality of floatable concrete storage tanksincludes a system for offloading to a transport tanker.